Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/231757

Title

The influence of ion energy on the nitriding behaviour of austenitic stainless steel

Author(s)

Leigh, S.;  Samandi, M.;  Collins, G. A.;  Short, K. T.;  Martin, P.;  Wielunski, L.

Abstract

Recent work on austenitic stainless steels has indicated that low energy, high current density nitrogen implantation can result in nitrided layers several micrometers in depth and of considerable hardness. This work was initiated to examine the effects of ion energy during ion implantation at elevated temperatures. Three nitriding methods were considered: plasma immersion ion implantation (PI3), radio frequency (r.f.) plasma nitriding and ion beam nitriding. The structure and nitrogen profile of austenitic stainless steel were examined after the different treatments by a range of analytical techniques including glancing angle X-ray diffraction (GAXD), ultra microhardness indentations (UMIS), glow discharge optical spectroscopy (GDOS) and nuclear reaction analysis (NRA). It was found that similar surface structures can be formed by PI3 treatments at high energies and ion beam nitriding at low energies. The resultant microstructures, as determined by GAXD, consist primarily of an expanded austenite layer. It appears that the adherent oxide film present on stainless steel must be either removed by sputtering, at low ion energies, or passed through by implantation, at high energies. Subsequent diffusion at elevated temperatures allows the formation of a nitrided layer several micrometers thick in both cases.

Publication type

Journal article

Source

Surface and Coatings Technology: incorporating the proceedings of the 1996 International Workshop on Plasma-Based Ion Implantation, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 12-15 February 1995 / B. D. Sartwell and A. Matthews (eds.), Vol. 85, no. 1-2 (Nov 1996), pp. 37-43

Publication year

1996

FOR Code(s)

0204 Condensed Matter Physics;  0306 Physical Chemistry (Incl. Structural);  0912 Materials Engineering

Keyword(s)

Austenite;  Austenitic stainless steel;  Current density;  Glancing angle x ray diffraction;  Glow discharge spectroscopy;  Hardness;  Ion beam nitriding;  Ion beams;  Ion energy;  Ion implantation;  Nitriding;  Nitrogen implantation;  Nuclear reaction analysis;  Plasma applications;  Plasma immersion ion implantation;  Radio frequency plasma nitriding;  Sputtering;  Surface structure;  Surface treatment;  Ultra microhardness indentations;  X ray diffraction

Publisher

Elsevier

ISSN

0257-8972

Publisher URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0257-8972(96)02876-9

Copyright

Copyright © 1996 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Peer reviewed